Verizon Wireless Stores Collect No-Longer-Used Phones This Earth Day

EVANSVILLE, IN — Verizon Wireless is making it easy for Evansville-area residents to help domestic violence survivors and commemorate Earth Day (April 22) by collecting no-longer-used wireless phones during a special collection drive at both of its local Communications Stores between April 16  22, 2004.

For each wireless handset donated during the collection drive, Verizon Wireless will contribute $5 to the ARK Crisis Prevention Nursery, a local outreach group that provides respite services and crisis care to children and families in need. Locations of Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in Evansville are:

2001 N. Green River Rd.

4587 University Dr.

Through its award-winning HopeLineSM program, Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories from any wireless service provider. Most of the phones and equipment are refurbished and sold; then the company uses the proceeds to purchase newer wireless phones for domestic violence survivors and to support domestic violence shelters and organizations. The remaining phones are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.

"Our HopeLine program has provided many domestic violence survivors with a lifeline that has helped them go about their day-to-day lives with less fear," said Greg Haller, president of Verizon Wireless' Indiana Region. "The program also offers an environmentally friendly alternative to just throwing handsets away. Earth Day is a nice reminder to all of us to pull those unused wireless phones off the dusty shelves and out of the junk drawers so they can be put to good use."

In 2003, the ARK Crisis Prevention Nursery provided respite services and crisis care to more than 1,000 children and 700 families. "This has been a tough year and every dollar counts," said Mindy Pohl, executive director of the ARK Crisis Prevention Nursery. "Verizon Wireless' generosity will help our organization assist many local families in need."

Since January 2001, Verizon Wireless has collected more than 1.2 million no-longer-used wireless phones that have been turned into lifelines and/or much-needed funds for domestic violence victims and advocacy organizations. For more information, call 1-800-426-2790 or visit the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 37.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.

About the ARK Crisis Preventative NurseryThe ARK Crisis Prevention Nursery is a nonprofit program that was started in 1981 by the Junior League of Evansville. It allows parents who need emergency child care for things like a job interview, doctor's appointment or just time away, to use the nursery. By providing respite care for stressed families, the ARK Nursery keeps children safe and strengthens families by offering no-cost child care and parenting classes.